Eric Cantona: kung-fu kick on hooligan was like a dream for some fans

Former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona has admitted that the infamous
incident in which he attacked a Crystal Palace supporter with a two-footed
lunge in to the crowd was “a great feeling” and a memory he is happy for
some fans to treasure.

“But I have seen so many players scoring goals, they know this kind of feeling.

“This one – a player jumping and kicking a hooligan – it’s not the kind of thing you see every day.”

Despite viewing the notorious moment in his career as one of his most enjoyable, Cantona insists he would not recommend others to follow his lead.

“No it was a mistake,” Cantona told the BBC. “But that’s life. That’s me. Take it or not. I’m strong enough to come back.”

Cantona’s latest project, following on from an acting career and a spell as a successful beach football player, is heading up development at the New York Cosmos and he is looking forward rather than back, admitting he does not even hold on to mementos from his playing days.

“I don’t care about the past,” he said. “It was a great memory but I don’t want to think about it. I want to look forward.

“I don’t know where my medals are. No shirts, nothing.

“I played for France 45 times and I had two shirts every game. That’s 90 shirts. I don’t even have one now.

“You can feel very quickly as a prisoner of your past, of the memories. I prefer to be free and think about tomorrow.”